Description:This adaptation of Stephen Crane's classic novel
follows the experience of a raw recruit to the Union Army through
his first two days of battle. At the beginning he is terrified and runs away.
The film shows how he comes back and claims both his self-respect and his manhood.

Benefits of the Movie:This film shows how, even if you prove a coward in one battle,
you can redeem yourself in the next. It shows a boy coming
to manhood in battle and what battles were like in the Civil War. The novel is a classic and children should be encouraged to read the book before they see the film.

QUICK DISCUSSION QUESTION: How did Henry Flemming change during the film?

Suggested Response: There are several answers to this question. He grew up. He became a man. He overcame his fear and learned what courage was.

Helpful Background:

The Civil War resulted in unprecedented blood letting on both sides.
No previous war had seen thousands upon thousands of soldiers killed in battle after battle.
Soldiers and officers were unprepared for this carnage. See Helpful Background Sections to
Gettysburg and Glory.
Watching The Civil War, a nine part documentary on the Civil War
will also provide excellent background on the Civil War.

1. Why did the soldiers in the regiment think at first that they had lost half their men but realize later that only a few had been killed?

2. What is a little red badge of courage as the term is used in this film?

3. Why did the officers drill and drill the soldiers until the soldiers were sick of it?

4. Remember that just before the Union soldiers charged, the drummer boys started playing their drums. What was the purpose of the drummers?

5. Why were officers posted to positions behind the lines during each battle?

REDEMPTION AND COMING OF AGE

6. After Henry ran away, he heard a bird singing and threw a stick at it. Then, at the end of the movie, after Henry had been carrying the flag, he heard another bird singing and had a different reaction. Why?

7. When Henry came back to the front lines, why wasn't it enough for him to simply stand and fight like most of the other soldiers? Why did he put himself in special danger?

8. Why did Henry confess to Wilson? Why didn't he make a full confession?

For English Language Arts classes, distribute TWM's Film Study Worksheet. Teachers can modify the worksheet to fit the needs of each class. Ask students to fill out the worksheet as they watch the film or at the film's end.

Are you concerned that time will be wasted if you are absent from class?
Worry no more . . . Check out TeachWithMovies' Set-Up-the-Sub.

Reminder to Teachers:
Obtain all required permissions from your school administration before
showing any film.

(Do what you are supposed to do; Persevere: keep on trying!; Always do your best; Use self-control; Be self-disciplined; Think before you act -- consider the consequences; Be accountable for your choices)

1. What Pillar of Character was Henry honoring when he came back to his regiment and fought? Suggested Response: There are a number of additional pillars that his actions could relate to, including Trustworthiness and Citizenship.

Character Counts and the Six Pillars of Character are marks of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition, a project of the Josephson Institute of Ethics.

Bridges to Reading:The Red Badge of Courage is an excellent
book for young readers. Other historical novels dealing with this
period include: A Dangerous Promise: The Orphan Adventures, by
Joan Lowery Nixon; Behind the Lines, by Isabell Holland; Mountain
Valor, by Gloria Houston; and Jim-Dandy, by Hadley Irwin. For a
nonfiction book about the Battle of Bull Run that has been recommended for
children 10 - 14 years, see Bull Run, by Paul
Fleischman. Also recommended are: Prelude to War edited by Carter Smith and Behind the
Lines also edited by Carter Smith.

TWM grants free limited licenses to copy TWM curriculum materials only to educators in public or non-profit schools and to parents trying to help educate their children. See TWM's Terms of Use for a full description of the free licenses and limits on the rights of others to copy TWM..